Best time to visit British Columbia

+120
British Columbia

Best time of year to visit British Columbia

The shoulder season from April to early June and September to October is the best time to visit British Columbia for those seeking great deals or solitude during the hikes across Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park and West Coast Trail. Early autumn might be busy and rainy, but the foliage hues during that time are unbelievable, especially when viewed from the Rocky Mountaineer Train. November to March period brings snowy weather, perfect for skiing in at Whistler Blackcomb. Awe-seekers will enjoy spotting Northern Lights and watching an unforgettable storm in Tofino. Summer is the busiest time in British Columbia, gathering both tourists and whales, but there is plenty of space for everyone. The only crowded places are Shambhala Music Festival or Vancouver Island Musicfest.

34 THINGS TO DO IN BRITISH COLUMBIA (JULY 25 - AUGUST 03)

Celebration of Light

Celebration of Light

unconfirmedlate July 2024 • event

Don't miss one of the most spectacular sound and light events in the world!

Rocky Mountaineer Train

Rocky Mountaineer Train

April–October • activity

This is more than just a train!

Grizzly Bear Watching

Grizzly Bear Watching

mid-May–October • nature

Take a close look at grizzly bears in the mountains

Shambhala Music Festival

Shambhala Music Festival

July 26-29, 2024 • event

Come and enjoy one of the largest electronic music festivals in Canada

Hawaii Cruises

Hawaii Cruises

April–August • activity

Be prepared for adventures when cruising the Pacific

Crankworx Whistler

Crankworx Whistler

July 19-28, 2024 • event

A massive celebration of elite-level mountain biking

Seal Pups

Seal Pups

May–August • nature

If you have never seen seals before, British Columbia is a great viewing spot. Come in summer for the adorable pups!

Kayaking

Kayaking

April–October • activity

Enjoy a perfect day or two on kayak, surrounded by gorgeous nature and an amazing variety of wildlife

Takakkaw Falls & Twin Falls

Takakkaw Falls & Twin Falls

mid-June–September • nature

The most picturesque part of Yoho National Park

Spotted Lake

Spotted Lake

May–August  • nature

Unique beauty and creative work of minerals can be observed on the Spotted Lake during summer

Othello Tunnels, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park

Othello Tunnels, Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park

April–October • activity

See the legendary cliffs from 'First Blood', where Rambo was hanging above a raging river

Panorama Ridge Hike

Panorama Ridge Hike

July–October • activity

The perfect outlook on amazing Garibaldi Provincial Park

Skookumchuck Narrows

Skookumchuck Narrows

all year round • nature

Enjoy one of the greatest natural spectacles of British Columbia

Seafood Season

Seafood Season

May–September • food

If you are a seafood fan, late spring is the right time to visit the B.C. and Vancouver restaurants and enjoy a variety of sea fish dishes

Cambie climbing tree

Cambie climbing tree

all year round • activity

Are you fit enough to climb a towering Canadian evergreen?

Landslide Lake

Landslide Lake

June–September • nature

One of the best hikes on Vancouver Island

Fishing

Fishing

January–mid-November • activity

Salmon is just one of many reasons to try fishing in British Columbia. Come and enjoy world class deep sea fishing together with river fishing

The Great Divide Trail

The Great Divide Trail

July–mid-September • activity

This great corridor along the Canadian Rocky Mountains divides two of Canada's provinces

Summer Fruits and Veggies

Summer Fruits and Veggies

July–September • food

Fresh local food is ready for you! Come and enjoy various food festivals and fresh farmers' markets

Birdwatching

Birdwatching

all year round • activity

Relish the birding experience in southern British Columbia

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park

late April–early October • nature

Hiking, fishing, canoeing and kayaking destination

Sky Walking at Mt. Nimbus

Sky Walking at Mt. Nimbus

June–August • activity

Most remote and probably the most beautiful via ferrata walk in Canada

Golf

Golf

April–October • activity

Stunning views and plenty of gorgeous, pristine courses await you

Lake Lovely Water

Lake Lovely Water

mid-July–October (could be mid-June–November) • nature

A stunning alpine lake surrounded by the Tantalus Mountain Range

Sea Lion Pups

Sea Lion Pups

mid-May–July • nature

Spy out amusing sea lions playing with pups at the coastal areas and islands of British Columbia

Juan de Fuca Trail

Juan de Fuca Trail

late May–early September • activity

A beautiful Vancouver Island trail featuring Jordan river, Mystic Beach and other attractions

Wedgemount Lake

Wedgemount Lake

July–September • nature

A turquoise alpine lake in British Columbia, surrounded by Wedge Mountains

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

March–October (best options in mid-July–October) • nature

One of the best places in the world to spot killer, gray or humpback whales

Helmcken Falls

Helmcken Falls

all year round (frozen in December–February | camping in June–September) • nature

The waterfall, accessible all year round, looks especially stunning when frozen into a snow crater

Mount Cheam

Mount Cheam

July–October • activity

A beautiful hike in Canadian Cascades with blooming wildflowers along the way

West Coast Trail

West Coast Trail

May–September  • activity

Enjoy this stunning coastal trail as you walk in the footsteps of the First Nation ancestors

Floe Lake

Floe Lake

mid-July–September • nature

Cobalt lake lying at the foot of the picturesque mountains

Mt Albert Edward

Mt Albert Edward

late June–early October • activity

Discover beautiful mountains of Strathcona Provincial Park on Vancouver Island

Kaslo Jazz Festival

Kaslo Jazz Festival

August 2-4, 2024 • event

An outdoor summer festival in the West Kootenay region

28 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Salmon Run

Salmon Run

out of rangeearly to mid-October (the next dominant year is 2022) • nature

Every four years, sometime in October, millions of migrating sockeye salmon paint the Adams River scarlet-red

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

Vancouver International Jazz Festival

out of rangeJune 21-July 1, 2024 • event

The largest music festival in British Columbia with 1800 artists and over half a million jazz fans

Cranberry Harvest

Cranberry Harvest

out of rangelate September–early November • activity

In the middle of fall, plain low-growing cranberry vines transform into exuberant red bogs

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade

on holdDecember 2023 • event

The largest Christmas Parade in Western Canada

Concord's New Year’s Eve

Concord's New Year’s Eve

on holdDecember 31  • event

Ring in the new year with numerous festive events in Vancouver city center

Bald Eagle Count

Bald Eagle Count

out of rangeearly January | 3rd weekend of November • activity

Thousands of bald eagles can be observed near the lakesides. You can even volunteer and take part in the huge counting expedition

Vancouver Fashion Week

Vancouver Fashion Week

out of rangeApril 9–14, 2024 • event

Sensational selection of designers is awaiting you at the second largest fashion week across North America

Vancouver Island Musicfest

Vancouver Island Musicfest

out of rangeJuly 12-14, 2024 • event

Check out this amazing weekend among gorgeous nature and with great music!

Vancouver Christmas Market

Vancouver Christmas Market

unconfirmedNovember 16-December 24, 2024 • event

An Old World tradition that has become a favorite for locals

Northern Lights

Northern Lights

out of rangeOctober–March • nature

Choose British Columbia for a memorable visual adventure

Spirit Bears

Spirit Bears

out of rangelate August–early October • nature

Immerse yourself in Canadian wilderness and meet the rare Spirit Bear

Storm Watching in Tofino

Storm Watching in Tofino

out of rangeNovember–February • activity

A natural phenomenon of impressive scale

Boundary Bay Airshow

Boundary Bay Airshow

out of rangeJuly 13, 2024 • event

With free admission, the event still showcases some of the country's finest aircraft aerobatics and static displays

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

out of rangeOctober 9, 2023 • event

Being mainly a family holiday, Thanksgiving is a great time to taste traditional dishes and observe different customs

Cherry Blossom in Victoria

Cherry Blossom in Victoria

out of rangemid-February–March • nature

A quintessential part of spring in the capital of British Columbia

FAN EXPO Vancouver

FAN EXPO Vancouver

out of rangeFebruary 21-23, 2025 • event

A colorful cosplay event for all fans of pop culture entertainment

Fall Colors in Vancouver

Fall Colors in Vancouver

out of rangemid-September–mid-November (best late October) • event

The bustling seaport in the Lower Mainland is famous for its vibrant foliage

Okanagan Grape Harvest

Okanagan Grape Harvest

out of rangemid-August–early October • nature

Explore the province's best and most picturesque wineries

Abbotsford Tulip Festival

Abbotsford Tulip Festival

out of range2020 (cancelled) • event

Breathtaking display of millions of flowers

Halloween in Victoria

Halloween in Victoria

out of rangeOctober 1–31, 2023 • event

Discover wicked, historical, and incredibly beautiful Victoria during its autumn harvest events

Halloween in Vancouver

Halloween in Vancouver

out of rangelate September–early November • event

October is filled with fun and fright in Greater Vancouver

Skiing & Snowboarding

Skiing & Snowboarding

out of rangeNovember–late April • activity

Charming nature, jaw-dropping views, and world class slopes and trails can be found skiing around Vancouver

Capital City Comic Con Victoria

Capital City Comic Con Victoria

on holdSeptember 23–25, 2022 • event

Victoria's premier comic convention

Game Meats, Pacific Oysters, and Sea Urchin

Game Meats, Pacific Oysters, and Sea Urchin

out of rangeOctober–February • food

Late autumn and winter bring game meats and tasty seafood on the table. Choose your favourite!

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon

GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon

out of rangeOctober 13, 2024 • event

Gain yourself an unmatchable running experience in all of the West Coast

Seasons Festival

Seasons Festival

on hold2020 (postponed) • event

A mix of music, technology and new media art

Vernon Winter Carnival

Vernon Winter Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 2-February 11, 2024 • event

Western Canada's largest winter festival

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

Vancouver Folk Music Festival

unconfirmedJuly 19-21, 2024 • event

Enjoy the magical ambience of the festival for the whole family

Last updated: